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About the Year of Light

The International Year of Light is a global initiative which will highlight to the citizens of the world the importance of light and optical technologies in their lives, for their futures, and for the development of society. It is a unique opportunity to inspire, educate, and connect on a global scale.

IYL 2015 Images

Nerve Cells of Eye's Retina

The retina of your eye consists of many interconnected layers of nerve cells, some of which are sensitive to light. Most people have heard of the two types of photoreceptors used to form images: the rod and cone cells. Recently, a third class of photoreceptors has been discovered in the retina's ganglion nerve layer. These intrinsically photosensitive retinal ganglion cells sense the general brightness of ambient light. They are linked directly to several areas of the brain where they control processes such as regulating pupil size and synchronizing the 24-hour circadian rhythm cycle. In this image the cone cells form the top (green) layer and the ganglion cells are at the bottom.
Image Credit:
Wei Li, National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health
view and download image here.

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IYL2015 is a global initiative adopted by the United Nations to raise awareness of how optical technologies promote sustainable development and provide solutions to worldwide challenges in energy, education, agriculture, communications and health.